Moscow, Apr 06: Russia's ambassador to Iraq left Baghdad today, evacuating to Syria as us troops advanced on the Iraqi capital, Interfax news agency reported quoting Russian foreign ministry sources. The Russian foreign ministry refused to confirm the report, but it had announced plans yesterday to evacuate ambassador Vladimir Titorenko.
The ambassador was due to fly to Moscow after arriving in Damascus by car, Interfax reported, adding that 12 staffers remained at the embassy.

Russia withdrew non-essential personnel from Iraq in the days leading up to the start of the us-led offensive last month, but kept its Baghdad Embassy operational with a skeleton staff.

The building was almost hit by us bombs last week. Baghdad has come under daily bombing raids since the war began on March 20.

Russia is one of the most fervent opponents to the US-led war, arguing that all diplomatic means of disarming Iraq had not been exhausted before the invasion began. Bureau Report